IgG stimulated remyelination of peripheral nerves
View Patent ↗The present invention is based on the discovery of polyclonal IgG's ability to promote Schwann cell maturation, differentiation, and myelin production. Methods for treating non-idiopathic, demyelinating peripheral neuropathies in mammals, where the neuropathy is not immune-mediated or infection-mediated, through the administration of polyclonal IgG are provided. Types of demyelinating peripheral neuropathies treatable with the present invention include peripheral nerve trauma and toxin-induced peripheral neuropathies. Alternatively, a composition of polyclonal IgGs can be applied directly to a peripheral nerve cell to induce maturation, differentiation into a myelinating state, and myelin expression or promote cell survival.
1. A method of treating a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of polyclonal IgG to a mammal diagnosed with said neuropathy, wherein said demyelinating neuropathy is a toxin-induced neuropathy, wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered intravenously, parenterally, or intra-arterially to the site affected by the toxin.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the mammal is human.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein an anti-inflammatory agent is co-administered with the polyclonal IgG to the mammal.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is adrenocorticotropic hormone, a corticosteroid, an interferon, glatiramer acetate, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the toxin-induced neuropathy is induced by drugs and medications, industrial chemicals, or environmental toxins.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the toxin-induced neuropathy is induced by drugs and medications.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the toxin-induced neuropathy is induced by industrial chemicals.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the toxin-induced neuropathy is induced by environmental.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered weekly.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered biweekly.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered monthly.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered to the mammal at a dose of about 0.05 to 5 g per kg of patient body weight.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered to the mammal at a dose of about 0.5 to 2 g per kg of patient body weight.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein said toxin-induced neuropathy is not infection-mediated.
15. A method of treating a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of polyclonal IgG to a mammal diagnosed with said neuropathy, wherein said demyelinating neuropathy is an inherited neuropathy and excludes Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy and multifocal motor neuropathy, wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered intravenously, parenterally, or intra-arterially to the site affected by the inherited neuropathy.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the mammal is human.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein an anti-inflammatory agent is co-administered with the polyclonal IgG to the mammal.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is adrenocorticotropic hormone, a corticosteroid, an interferon, glatiramer acetate, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the inherited neuropathy is selected from the group consisting of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, Abetalipoproteinemia, Tangier disease, Metachromatic leukodystrophy, Fabry's disease, and Dejerine-Sottas syndrome.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the inherited neuropathy is Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the inherited neuropathy is Abetalipoproteinemia.
22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the inherited neuropathy is Tangier disease.
23. The method of claim 19 , wherein the inherited neuropathy is Metachromatic leukodystrophy.
24. The method of claim 19 , wherein the inherited neuropathy is Fabry's disease.
25. The method of claim 19 , wherein the inherited neuropathy is Dejerine-Sottas syndrome.
26. The method of claim 15 , wherein the demyelinating peripheral neuropathy is motor neuropathy.
27. The method of claim 15 , wherein the demyelinating peripheral neuropathy is sensory neuropathy.
28. The method of claim 15 , wherein the demyelinating peripheral neuropathy is sensorimotor neuropathy.
29. The method of claim 15 , wherein the demyelinating peripheral neuropathy is autonomic neuron neuropathy.
30. The method of claim 15 , wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered weekly.
31. The method of claim 15 , wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered biweekly.
32. The method of claim 15 , wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered monthly.
33. The method of claim 15 , wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered to the mammal at a dose of about 0.05 to 5 g per kg of patient body weight.
34. The method of claim 33 , wherein the polyclonal IgG is administered to the mammal at a dose of about 0.5 to 2 g per kg of patient body weight.
35. The method of claim 15 , wherein said inherited neuropathy is not infection-mediated.